Method and apparatus for a small power source for an implantable device

ABSTRACT

One example includes a battery that includes a stack of at least one substantially planar anode and at least one substantially planar cathode, wherein the stack defines a contoured exterior, and a battery housing enclosing the stack, the battery housing defining a battery housing exterior, wherein the contoured exterior of the stack is shaped to conform to a contoured interior of the battery housing that approximately conforms to the battery housing exterior, the battery produced by the process of modeling, using fluid dynamics, an exterior of a biocompatible housing and shaping the battery housing to conform to at least some of the exterior of the biocompatible housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.11/611,635, filed on Dec. 15, 2006, now issued as U.S. Pat. No.7,860,564, the benefit of priority of which is claimed herein, and whichis incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/750,478, filed Dec. 15, 2005,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

This application also claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/750,718, filed Dec. 15, 2005,the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

The following commonly assigned U.S. patent applications are related andare all incorporated by reference in their entirety: “BatteriesIncluding a Flat Plate Design,” U.S. Patent Publication No.2004/0127952, filed Feb. 7, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,479,349,“Batteries Including a Flat Plate Design,” U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 60/437,537 filed Dec. 31, 2002; “System and Method for SealingBattery Separator,” Serial No. 11/264,996, filed Nov. 2, 2005, U.S.Patent Publication No. 2007/0099194; and “Method and Apparatus forImproved Battery Profile,” U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/750,517, filed Dec. 15, 2005.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to implantable medical devices, andmore particularly to and implantable medical device having an improvedprofile.

BACKGROUND

Batteries are available to provide energy for self-powered devices.Various chemistries, construction methods, and battery profiles havebeen developed for use in self-powered devices. But as technologyevolves, new applications would benefit from new battery configurations.For example, known applications could benefit from improvements inbattery chemistries, constructions methods, and battery profiles.Specifically, improved battery profiles could enable improved deviceprofiles, which could widen the range of possible implantationlocations. Such a range would widen, in part, because improved shapescould address existing problems, such as non-preferred levels ofhemodynamic drag, turbulence, fluid sheer stress and stagnation.

Certain implantable devices have been developed to operate in remoteportions of the human body. These remote devices include, for example,remote sensors or neurostimulation devices. Depending on the implantlocation, remote devices must be small enough to fit into variousconfined areas of the human body. Therefore, the size of these remotedevices is typically considerably smaller than common devices, likecardiac rhythm management devices. The limited size of remote devicescorrespondingly limits the size of the components of the devices,including its power source or battery.

Improved batteries should provide as much electrical performance asexisting battery designs. Additionally, new designs should be compatiblewith efficient manufacturing methods. Further, new designs should offera wide range of configurations to make possible various applications.

SUMMARY

The above-mentioned problems and others not expressly discussed hereinare addressed by the present subject matter and will be understood byreading and studying this specification.

One embodiment of the present subject matter includes an electrochemicalpower source for use with a remote implantable medical device. Theelectrochemical power source includes a housing geometrically defined toreside with an implantable medical device. The power source alsoincludes at least one anode, at least one cathode, and an electrolytewithin the housing. The electrochemical power source has a displacementvolume of below 0.024 cubic centimeters and is adapted to provideelectrical current used to operate the device. According to oneembodiment, the implantable medical device includes a remote implantablesensor. The implantable medical device includes a remoteneurostimulation device, according to an embodiment. The electrochemicalpower source can be rechargeable in various embodiments. The powersource includes a rechargeable power source, in one embodiment.

One aspect of this disclosure relates to an implantable medical device.The implantable medical device includes electronics adapted to providedesignated medical functionality. The implantable medical device alsoincludes at least one electrochemical power source adapted to provideelectrical current to the device circuitry. The power source includes ahousing geometrically defined to reside with the implantable medicaldevice. The power source also includes at least one anode, at least onecathode, and an electrolyte within the housing. According to variousembodiments, the power source has a displacement volume of below 0.024cubic centimeters. The electronics includes sensor circuitry,stimulation circuitry, or a combination of sensor and stimulationcircuitry, according to various embodiments.

One aspect of this disclosure relates to a method for manufacturing anelectrochemical power source for use in an implantable medical device.According to various embodiments, the method includes providing ahousing geometrically defined to reside with an implantable medicaldevice. The method also includes providing at least one anode, at leastone cathode, and an electrolyte within the housing. According to variousembodiments, the power source has a displacement volume of below 0.024cubic centimeters and is adapted to provide electrical current used tooperate the device.

One embodiment of the present subject matter includes a battery disposedin an implantable device, the battery having a bobbin configuration.

This Summary is an overview of some of the teachings of the presentapplication and not intended to be an exclusive or exhaustive treatmentof the present subject matter. Further details about the present subjectmatter are found in the detailed description and appended claims. Otheraspects will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reading andunderstanding the following detailed description and viewing thedrawings that form a part thereof, each of which are not to be taken ina limiting sense. The scope of the present invention is defined by theappended claims and their legal equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an electrochemical power sourcefor use in an implantable medical device, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a remote implantable medicaldevice, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a remote implantable medicaldevice having sensing and stimulating capabilities, according to oneembodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a system with a remote implantablemedical device having an electrochemical power source such asillustrated in FIG. 1, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a programmer such as illustratedin the system of FIG. 4 or other external device to communicate with theremote implantable medical device(s), according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing anelectrochemical power source for use in a remote implantable medicaldevice, according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section of a bobbin battery, according to oneembodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 8 shows a cross section of a bobbin battery, according to oneembodiment of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description of the present subject matter refersto subject matter in the accompanying drawings which show, by way ofillustration, specific aspects and embodiments in which the presentsubject matter may be practiced. These embodiments are described insufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice thepresent subject matter. References to “an”, “one”, or “various”embodiments in this disclosure are not necessarily to the sameembodiment, and such references contemplate more than one embodiment.The following detailed description is demonstrative and not to be takenin a limiting sense. The scope of the present subject matter is definedby the appended claims, along with the full scope of legal equivalentsto which such claims are entitled.

Certain implantable devices have been developed to operate in remoteportions of a patient. These remote devices include, for example, remotesensors, neurostimulation devices, and other devices. Depending on theimplant location, remote devices must be small enough to fit intovarious confined areas of the human body. The requirements for suchdevices are unique compared to other applications because their sizemust be small enough to be noninvasive. Therefore, the size of theseremote devices is typically considerably smaller than common devices,like cardiac rhythm management devices. The limited size of remotedevices correspondingly limits the size of the components of the device,including its power source. While the power source is not as large, thepower demands of these remote devices must still be satisfied.

Large batteries, with volumes on the order of 1 cubic centimeters orgreater, are commonly used for devices such as cardiac pacemakers anddefibrillators. Remote devices benefit from batteries which are afraction of that size. Battery sizes smaller than 1 cubic centimeter arecontemplated by the present subject matter.

The present subject matter extends to thin film batteries. Various thinfilm batteries are formed using vapor deposition of electrode andelectrolyte materials onto a semiconductor substrate (such as silicon).However, achieving battery sizes small enough to meet the requirementsof remote devices using thin film technology is problematic. Either verythick layers of deposition are required, or a number of thin filmbatteries must be stacked and connected in parallel. In either case,rendering the thin film battery or batteries into a cylindrical shape,which is often a requirement of remote device power sources, can bedifficult. An improved power source for remote sensing andneurostimulation is needed.

This disclosure provides an efficient electrochemical power source forremote implantable medical devices. Battery chemistry and technologyfrom large battery applications are adapted to appropriately size powersources for remote implantable medical devices, while ensuring thatpower and capacity demands of the devices are satisfied.

Electrochemical Power Source for Remote Applications

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an electrochemical power sourcefor use in a remote implantable medical device, according to variousembodiments. The electrochemical power source 100 includes a housing 102geometrically defined to reside within a remote implantable medicaldevice. The power source 100 includes at least one anode 103, at leastone cathode 107, and an electrolyte 105 within the housing. In variousembodiments, the electrochemical power source has a displacement volumeof below 0.024 cubic centimeters and is adapted to provide electricalcurrent used to operate the device. According to some embodiments, theremote implantable medical device includes a remote implantable sensor.The remote implantable medical device includes a remote neurostimulationdevice, according to some embodiments. The electrochemical power sourceis rechargeable in some embodiments.

Some examples of methodologies for device battery layouts are providedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/264,966, filed on Nov. 2, 2005,entitled “System and method for sealing battery separator”, which iscommonly assigned and herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.According to various embodiments, the power source has a cylindricalshape. Non-cylindrical shapes (or form factors) additionally are coveredby the present subject matter.

In some embodiments, the remote implantable medical device sized forplacement in a blood vessel. In some of these embodiments, measurementsare taken so that flow at the implant site can be modeled. Someembodiments use statistical models of the human body to model flow atthe implant site. In various embodiments, the power source is sized toenable an implantable device which is shaped to provide the followingbenefits: reduced hydrodynamic drag, reduced turbulence, reducedstagnation and/or reduced fluid sheer stress. In various embodiments,the power source is small to enable such benefits. In some embodiments,the power source is shaped to conform to an interior of a device shapedto provide such benefits.

Various embodiments of the present subject matter include implantablemedical devices. In various embodiments, implantable sensors arediscussed. Implantable sensors, in various embodiments, are self-poweredmeasurement devices. In some embodiments, these devices provide awireless signal to one or more receivers. Receivers may be located invivo or ex vivo. A transceiver relationship is additionally possible, invarious embodiments.

Because of their implanted nature, implantable sensors should be ascompact as possible. Device profile should be optimized for a minimallyinvasive implantation. As some embodiments are intended for endovascularuse, several design parameters are important. For example, it isimportant to provide an implantable device which reduces hydrodynamicdrag, turbulence, fluid sheer stress, and/or stagnation. An improperdesign in light of these phenomena can lead to the creation of anembolus, and can lead to occlusion of the vessel caused, in part, by theimplanted device.

The present subject matter provides an implantable medical device, invarious embodiments, which features an improved profile for implanteduse. In some embodiments, the profile provides improved performance forendovascular use. Example shapes are found in U.S. ProvisionalApplication “Method and Apparatus for Improved Battery Profile,” Ser.No. 60/750,517, filed Dec. 15, 2005, which is commonly assigned and isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

According to various embodiments, an outer surface of the housing iscoated with a biocompatible coating. Some of these embodiments includedrug eluting coatings. Some of these coatings reduce various unwantedeffects, such as stenosis. Additionally, some eluting coatings deliverchemical therapy. Examples of biocompatible coatings are provided inU.S. Pat. No. 6,664,335, entitled “Polyurethane elastomer article with‘shape memory’ and medical devices therefrom”, which is commonlyassigned and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Othertypes of coatings are contemplated by the present subject matter.

Various cathode configurations are contemplated by the present subjectmatter. The physical forms of cathode 107 used in various embodimentsinclude, but are not limited it, compressed powder, dough and/or slurry.In various embodiments, the cathode can be formed by the processesincluding, but not limited to, disposing the cathode directly in thebattery container, pressing the cathode into the battery container,and/or pressing the cathode onto an electrically conductive material.Cathodes compositions contemplated by the present subject matterinclude, but are not limited to, one or more of the following: metaloxide, metal sulphide, metal selenide, metal halide, metal oxyhalidecompound and/or their corresponding lithiated forms. The cathode mayinclude manganese, vanadium, silver, molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt,nickel, or chromium. The cathode may also include a main group compoundsuch as carbon monofluoride or iodine. Other compositions of the cathodeare within the scope of this disclosure.

Anodes of the present subject matter include, but are not limited to,carbon and/or metals. Anode compositions include, but are not limitedto, one or more of the following: metals such as lithium, sodium,potassium, rubidium, cesium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, tin,zinc and/or silver, and other anode compositions not expressly recitedherein.

The electrochemical power source 100 is capable of supporting chargingand discharging currents on the order of 10 mA to 1 pA, according tovarious embodiments. Waveforms contemplated by the present subjectmatter include, but are not limited to, continuous, pulsed and otherwaveforms. Additional levels of charging and discharging currents can besupported using the disclosed power source without departing from thescope of the disclosure. Various electrochemical power sources of thepresent subject matter are designed and the components and chemistriesselected to ensure a reduced level of self-discharge. Some embodimentsare constructed to encourage detectable State of Charge or Depth ofDischarge (DoD) indicated when monitoring open-circuit cell voltage(OCV). Various power sources of the present subject matter are designedto have a near-linear OCV vs. DOD curve for the first 60-90% of DoD.

Remote Implantable Medical Devices

FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an implantable medical device,according to one embodiment. The implantable medical device 201 includeselectronics 208. The implantable medical device 201 also includes atleast one electrochemical power source 200 adapted to provide electricalcurrent to the electronics. A power source 200, in various embodiments,includes a battery. In additional embodiments, the power source 200includes a capacitor. The power source 200 includes a housing 202geometrically defined to reside with the remote implantable medicaldevice. The power source also includes at least one anode 203, at leastone cathode 207, and an electrolyte 205 within the housing. According tovarious embodiments, the power source has a displacement volume of below0.024 cubic centimeters. According to various embodiments, the at leastone power source includes multiple power sources electrically connectedin series, connected in parallel, or connected in a combination ofseries and parallel, to provide the necessary electrical current topower the remote implantable medical device.

The electronics 208 includes sensor circuitry, stimulation circuitry,and combinations thereof, according to various embodiments of thepresent subject matter. According to various embodiments, theelectronics 208 includes sensor circuitry adapted to provide diagnosticfunctions. Some of these embodiments include a pressure transducer.Embodiments within the present subject matter additionally include, butare not limited to, ultrasonic transducers, inductive transducers,and/or other transducers. The electronics 208 may also includestimulation circuitry adapted to provide a therapeutic function, such asneurostimulation circuitry adapted to provide neurostimulation therapy.

Electronics 208, in various embodiments, include various components.Some embodiments include components adapted to communicate otherdevices. In some embodiments, communications are conducted wirelessly.Communications with devices external to the implantable medical device201 are contemplated by the present subject matter. Additionally,wireless communications with receivers located in vivo are contemplated.Some embodiments include a processor interconnected to other componentsto assist components in communicating with each other. This list ofcomponents is not an exhaustive or exclusive list covering the presentsubject matter, and additional components not expressly listed hereinadditionally are contemplated.

The implantable device 201 can be symmetrical along three, two, or noaxes, in various embodiments. In various embodiments, the deviceincludes a device housing 202. In some of these embodiments, the devicehousing 202 is hermetically sealed. In some embodiments, the devicehousing 202 is partially defined by a case which houses electrodes forthe power source 200.

Embodiments of the present subject matter include a housing which has ashape which is modeled to achieve a fluid flow objective, in variousembodiments. In some of these embodiments, a power source has a shapewhich is compatible with said device housing shape. In variousembodiments, the device housing includes a profile which improves fluidflow. In some embodiments, the housing profile reduces hydrodynamicdrag, turbulence, fluid sheer stress, and/or stagnation. In someembodiments, the housing is elongate. Some of these embodiments includea housing which is elongate, and which includes portions which have acircular cross section. An elongate housing is useful for implantationin a blood vessel in a manner which reduces hydrodynamic drag,turbulence, fluid sheer stress, and/or stagnation. Various embodimentsinclude applications which have a profile adapted for implantation in avein or in an artery. Various embodiments use an elongate housing inwhich the power source 200 and electronics 208 are stacked in a columnalong the interior of the elongate housing.

In various embodiments, hydrodynamic drag, turbulence, fluid sheerstress, and/or stagnation are determined using computational fluiddynamics. In some embodiments, measurements are taken of a targetimplant site. In some of these embodiments, the measurements are used todetermine the shape of an implantable medical device which reduceshydrodynamic drag, turbulence, fluid sheer stress, and/or stagnation.

Some embodiments do not base modeling for reduced hydrodynamic drag,turbulence, fluid sheer stress, and/or stagnation on the measurement ofan individual implant site. In some embodiments, the shape of thehousing is determined based on reduced hydrodynamic drag, turbulence,fluid sheer stress, and/or stagnation in a statistically significanthypothetical model. For example, in some embodiments, a patientpopulation is measured, and a model having blood-flow characteristicswhich typify the population is created. This model is used in thecreation of a housing which reduces hydrodynamic drag, turbulence, fluidsheer stress, and/or stagnation, in various embodiments.

In some of these embodiments, a power source 200 is created to fill aportion of the interior of the implantable medical device in a mannerwhich limits the amount of unused space. In some of these embodiments,the power source 200 is made from a stack of substantially planar powersource 200 electrodes. Some embodiments use a stack of substantiallyplanar power source 200 electrodes having different layers perimeters.Such a stack can have contours which are adapted to efficiently adhereto all or a portion of the interior space of the implantable medicaldevice. Additional embodiments use wound electrodes.

Battery embodiments having shapes which are determined as a function ofimproved fluid flow also fall within the scope of the present scope,including, but not limited to, battery embodiments having a prismaticshape, a generally cylindrical shape, and other shapes fall within thepresent scope.

In various embodiments, the implantable medical device 201 is adaptedfor reduced invasion during surgery. For example, in some embodiments, aprofile is used which delivers reduced tissue damage. Variousembodiments include a profile having reduced tissue damage includes anelongate device having a length of from about 5 millimeters to about 10millimeters. Devices up to 5 millimeters are possible, in variousembodiments. Additional embodiments use devices of over 10 millimeters.Additionally, various embodiments include a profile which has an averagewidth of from about 1 millimeter to about 3 millimeters. Someembodiments are sized up to 1 millimeter. Additional embodiments aresized over 3 millimeters. Various embodiments are cylindrical, and arefrom about 5 to 10 millimeters long, and about 1 to 3 millimeters indiameter. Some embodiments are around 2.5 millimeters in diameter. Someembodiments are greater than 3 millimeters in diameter. Additionally,some embodiments are longer than 10 millimeters.

In some embodiments, the implantable medical device is elongate, with aproximal portion and a distal portion. In various embodiments, duringimplantation, the device is grasped at the proximal portion, and thedistal portion is led through vasculature. In some of these embodiments,the distal portion has one or more edges. Edges, in various embodiments,are rounded to reduce tissue damage during implantation. Profiles whichreduce tissue damage may also be included. For example, implantablemedical devices having a parabolic distal portion fall within thepresent scope. Some of these embodiments are bullet shaped. Otherprofiles not expressly listed herein are additionally encompassed by thepresent scope.

In one process of the present subject matter, a profile of theimplantable medical device 201 is determined as a function of power andsize requirements. Power requirements, in various embodiments, aredetermined by the number of energy use events which occur duringimplantation. In some embodiments around 33 milliamp-hours are consumedper month, for example. It is understood that other devices using otherpower and size requirements are contemplated to be within the scope ofthis invention.

In some embodiments, power requirements are further defined by batteryefficiency. Battery efficiency, in various embodiments, is a function ofself-leakage. Power requirements are further determined by battery type.For example, some embodiments use primary batteries. Some embodimentsuse secondary batteries. Secondary batteries enable recharging.Recharging, in various embodiments, is depending on patient compliance.Recharging frequency should be reduced to increase patient satisfaction.

In an additional process of the present subject matter, a powerrequirement is determined and a power source 200 profile is selected tosatisfy the power requirement and to satisfy a size requirement whichreduces invasiveness. In some of these embodiments, a power managementalgorithm is developed to comply with these constraints. In some ofthese embodiments, a secondary power source 200 is used. In some ofthese embodiments, a power source 200 charging algorithm is used toimprove power source 200 profile and the reduce requirements to apatient to visit a clinic to recharge the power source 200. In variousembodiments, an iterative process of selecting a profile, and selectinga power management algorithm is used to determine the final profile ofpower source 200 which meets predetermined therapeutic requirements.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an implantable medical devicehaving sensing and stimulating capabilities, according to oneembodiment. The implantable medical device 301 includes sensor circuitry340 adapted to provide a diagnostic function, such as sensing pressure,blood flow, or other measurable medical parameter. The implantablemedical device 301 also includes stimulator circuitry 335 adapted toprovide a therapeutic function. An example of stimulator circuitry 335includes neurostimulation circuitry adapted to provide neurostimulationtherapy, while other types of stimulator circuitry are within the scopeof this disclosure. The implantable medical device 301 further includesat least one electrochemical power source 300 adapted to provideelectrical current to the stimulator and sensor circuitry. The powersource 300 includes a housing 302 geometrically defined to reside withthe remote implantable medical device. The power source also includes atleast one anode 303, at least one cathode 307, and an electrolyte 305within the housing. According to various embodiments, the power sourcehas a displacement volume of below 0.024 cubic centimeters.

FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a system with a device having anelectrochemical power source such as illustrated in FIG. 1, according toone embodiment. The system includes a device 401, an electrical lead 420coupled to the n device 401, and at least one electrode 425. The deviceincludes a controller circuit 405, a memory circuit 410, a telemetrycircuit 415, and a neural stimulation circuit 435. The device alsoincludes a battery 400 having a housing geometrically defined to residewith a remote implantable medical device. The battery 400 also includesat least one anode, at least one cathode, and an electrolyte within thehousing. The battery 400 has a displacement volume of below 0.024 cubiccentimeters. The battery is adapted to provide sufficient electricalpower to operate the device. The battery may be rechargeable, accordingto an embodiment.

The controller circuit 405 is operable on instructions stored in thememory circuit to deliver an electrical neural stimulation therapy.Therapy is delivered by the neural stimulation circuit 435 through thelead 420 and the electrode(s) 425. The telemetry circuit 415 allowscommunication with an external programmer 430. The programmer 430 can beused to adjust the programmed therapy provided by the device 401, andthe device can report device data (such as battery and lead resistance)and therapy data (such as sense and stimulation data) to the programmerusing radio telemetry, for example. According to various embodiments,the device 401 senses one or more physiological parameters and deliversneural stimulation therapy. The illustrated system also includes sensorcircuitry 440 that is coupled to at least one sensor 445. The controllercircuit 405 processes sensor data from the sensor circuitry and deliversa therapy responsive to the sensor data.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a programmer such as illustratedin the system of FIG. 4 or other external device to communicate with thedevice(s), according to one embodiment. An example of another externaldevice includes Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) or personal laptopand desktop computers in a wireless patient monitoring network. Theillustrated device 522 includes controller circuitry 545 and a memory546. The controller circuitry 545 is capable of being implemented usinghardware, software, and combinations of hardware and software. Forexample, according to various embodiments, the controller circuitry 545includes a processor to perform instructions embedded in the memory 546to perform a number of functions, including communicating data and/orprogramming instructions to the implantable devices. The illustrateddevice 522 further includes a transceiver 547 and associated circuitryfor use to communicate with an implantable device. Various embodimentshave wireless communication capabilities. For example, variousembodiments of the transceiver 547 and associated circuitry include atelemetry coil for use to wirelessly communicate with an implantabledevice. The illustrated device 522 further includes a display 548,input/output (I/O) devices 549 such as a keyboard or mouse/pointer, anda communications interface 550 for use to communicate with otherdevices, such as over a communication network.

Method for Manufacturing an Electrochemical Power Source

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for manufacturing anelectrochemical power source for use in an implantable medical device,according to one embodiment. According to various embodiments, themethod 600 includes providing a housing geometrically defined to residewith an implantable medical device, at 605. The method also includesproviding at least one anode, at least one cathode, and an electrolytewithin the housing, at 610. According to various embodiments, the powersource has a displacement volume of below 0.024 cubic centimeters and isadapted to provide electrical current used to operate the device.

According to various embodiments, providing the cathode includesproviding a cathode including compressed powder, dough and/or slurry.The cathode can be formed directly in the battery container or pressedor coated onto an electrically conductive material. In variousembodiments, the cathode includes at least one metal oxide, metalsulphide, metal selenide, metal halide or metal oxyhalide compound ortheir corresponding lithiated forms. The cathode may include manganese,vanadium, silver, molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt, nickel, or chromium. Thecathode may also include a main group compound such as carbonmonofluoride or iodine. Other compositions of the cathode are within thescope of this disclosure.

In this method, providing the anode includes providing an anodeincluding carbon or a metal, according to various embodiments. The anodemay include metals such as lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium,magnesium, calcium, strontium, barium, tin, zinc or silver. Othercompositions of the anode are within the scope of this disclosure.

One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that, the modules andother circuitry shown and described herein can be implemented usingsoftware, hardware, and combinations of software and hardware. As such,the illustrated modules and circuitry are intended to encompass softwareimplementations, hardware implementations, and software and hardwareimplementations.

The methods illustrated in this disclosure are not intended to beexclusive of other methods within the scope of the present subjectmatter. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, upon readingand comprehending this disclosure, other methods within the scope of thepresent subject matter.

FIG. 7 shows a cross section of a bobbin battery, according to oneembodiment of the present subject matter. Bobbin batteries benefit fromhaving fewer inactive components and/or less of an inactive component.For example, some bobbin battery embodiments have less separator.Additionally, some bobbin battery embodiments have less currentcollector. While bobbin batteries can provide a reduced discharge rateover other battery configurations for a given size, they provideimproved performance in applications which are less sensitive todischarge rate. The improved performance is due, in part, to thereduction in inactive materials, which can lead to reduced size.

A bobbin configuration includes a casing 706. In various embodiments,the bobbin configuration includes an anode 708. In various embodiments,the anode 708 is electrically interconnected with the casing 706. Invarious embodiments, the bobbin configuration includes a cathode 710.The cathode 710, in various embodiments, is connected to a terminal 716using a current collector 712. Separator 714 is disposed between theanode 708 and the cathode 710. The polarity of components discussedherein is selected to assist in explanation, and can be reversed withoutdeparting from the present scope of embodiments.

Various embodiments require sealing the internal components of thebobbin configuration. In some of these embodiments, a seal 702 isdisposed between the terminal 716 and the casing 706. In variousembodiments, the seal 702 resists electrical conductivity. In variousembodiments, the seal 702 additional provides mechanical structure tothe bobbin configuration, orienting the terminal 716 with respect to thecasing 706. Various embodiments include a space 704 which is empty.Additional embodiments do not include space 704. Some embodimentsdispose a sealant in the space 704. Additional embodiments disposeelectrolyte in the space 704.

Various embodiments incorporate battery chemistries compatible withbobbin style configurations. Embodiments within the present scopeinclude, but are not limited to, at least one of a metal oxide, a metalsulfide, a metal selenide, a metal halide, a metal oxyhalide compound,and corresponding lithiated forms. Some of these embodiments include atleast one of manganese, vanadium, silver, molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt,nickel, chromium, and main group compounds such as carbon monofluorideand iodine. Additionally, some embodiments include at least one ofcarbon, lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, cesium, magnesium,calcium, strontium, barium, tin, zinc or silver.

Primary battery chemistry embodiments fall within the present scope.Additionally, secondary battery chemistry embodiments fall within thepresent scope. In some embodiments a power source of an implantablemedical device includes a plurality of batteries connected in series,parallel or a combination of series and parallel.

Various electrode constructions fall within the present scope.Embodiments compatible with bobbin construction are included, includingmonolithic electrodes, pelleted electrodes, and other electrodes whichhave a solid shape. Pelleted electrodes, in various embodiments, includepellets formed from compressed powder, dough or slurry. Some electrodeembodiments are formed from a tightly wound ribbon which is wound untoitself without an insulator to separate progressive wraps from oneanother. Additionally, some embodiment include an electrode onto whichis pressed or coated an electronically conductive material. Otherelectrode configuration embodiments compatible with bobbin batteriesadditionally fall within the present scope.

Additionally, various battery profiles using these electrodes fallwithin the present scope. Embodiments with the present scope include,but are not limited to, batteries having a cylindrical shape, batterieshaving a prismatic shape, batteries having a button shape, and batterieshaving other shapes. In some examples, batteries have shape which isdetermined as a function of the shape's impact on reducing blood flow.In some examples, batteries have shape which is determined as a functionof the shape's impact on reducing tissue damage during implantation. Assuch, various embodiments include an annular anode. Some embodimentsinclude an annular cathode. Embodiments discussed herein demonstrate anannular cathode concentric with an annular anode.

FIG. 8 shows a cross section of a bobbin battery, according to oneembodiment of the present subject matter. In various embodiments, abobbin configuration includes a casing 806. In various embodiments, thebobbin configuration includes an anode 808. In various embodiments, theanode 808 is interconnected with the casing 806. In various embodiments,the bobbin configuration includes a cathode 810. The cathode 810, invarious embodiments, is connected to a terminal 816 using a currentcollector 812. In various embodiments, a separator 814 is disposedbetween the anode 808 and the cathode 810. Additionally, in variousembodiments, a separator 818 is disposed between the cathode 810 and thecasing 806. The polarity of components discussed herein is selected toassist in explanation, and can be reversed without departing from thepresent scope of embodiments.

Various embodiments require sealing the internal components of thebobbin configuration. In some of these embodiments, a seal 802 isdisposed between the terminal 816 and the casing 806. In variousembodiments, the seal 802 resists electrical conductivity. In variousembodiments, the seal 802 additional provides mechanical structure tothe bobbin configuration, orienting the terminal 816 with respect to thecasing 806. Various embodiments include a space 804 which is empty.Additional embodiments do not include a space 804. Some embodimentsdispose a sealant in the space 804. Additional embodiments disposeelectrolyte in the space 804.

This application is intended to cover adaptations or variations of thepresent subject matter. It is to be understood that the abovedescription is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. Thescope of the present subject matter should be determined with referenceto the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents towhich such claims are entitled.

1. A battery comprising a stack of at least one substantially planaranode and at least one substantially planar cathode, wherein the stackdefines a contoured exterior, and a battery housing enclosing the stack,the battery housing defining a battery housing exterior, wherein thecontoured exterior of the stack is shaped to conform to a contouredinterior of the battery housing that approximately conforms to thebattery housing exterior, the battery produced by the process of:modeling, using endovascular fluid dynamics, an exterior of abiocompatible housing; shaping the battery housing to conform to atleast some of the exterior of the biocompatible housing modeled usingthe endovascular fluid dynamics; and shaping the stack to conform to aninterior of the battery housing.
 2. The battery of claim 1, wherein thebattery is a non-thin-film primary battery.
 3. The battery of claim 2,wherein the at least one substantially planar cathode includescompressed powder.
 4. The battery of claim 1, wherein the battery isadapted to provide approximately 33 milliamp-hours per month.
 5. Thebattery of claim 4, wherein the at least one substantially planar anodehas a thickness greater than 1 micrometer and the at least onesubstantially planar cathode has a thickness greater than 1 micrometer.6. The battery of claim 5, wherein the battery housing has a volume ofless than approximately 0.024 cubic centimeters.
 7. The battery of claim1, wherein the exterior of the biocompatible housing is modeled toreduce turbulence at an implant site.
 8. The battery of claim 7, whereinthe exterior of the biocompatible housing is modeled to reducestagnation at an implant site.
 9. The battery of claim 8, wherein theexterior of the biocompatible housing is modeled to reduce fluid sheerstress at an implant site.
 10. A method for construction a biocompatibledevice, comprising: shaping an exterior of a housing of thebiocompatible device, including modeling the exterior to provide reducedhydrodynamic drag in conditions measured at an implant site; stacking atleast one non-thin-film anode that is planar with at least onenon-thin-film cathode that is planar into a stack; and disposing thestack into a battery housing, the battery housing providing a formshaped to fit an interior of the housing of the biocompatible device.11. The method of claim 10, further comprising hermetically sealing thebattery housing and electronics into the housing of the biocompatibledevice.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprising modeling theexterior of the housing of the biocompatible device to reduceturbulence.
 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising modeling theexterior of the housing of the biocompatible device to reducestagnation.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising modeling theexterior of the housing of the biocompatible device to reduce fluidsheer stress.
 15. An apparatus, comprising: a non-thin-film batterycomprising a stack of at least one substantially planar anode and atleast one substantially planar cathode, wherein the stack defines acontoured exterior; and a battery housing enclosing the stack, thebattery housing defining a battery housing exterior, wherein thecontoured exterior of the stack is shaped to conform to a contouredinterior of the battery housing that approximately conforms to thebattery housing exterior, wherein the battery housing is shaped toconform to at least some of an exterior of a biocompatible housingmodeled using endovascular fluid dynamics, wherein the exterior of thebiocompatible housing is modeled to reduce turbulance at an implantsite, and wherein the exterior of the biocompatible housing is modeledto reduce stagnation at an implant site.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the at least one substantially planar anode has a thicknessgreater than 1 micrometer and the at least one substantially planarcathode has a thickness greater than 1 micrometer.
 17. The apparatus ofclaim 16, wherein the battery housing has a volume of less thanapproximately 0.024 cubic centimeters.
 18. The apparatus of claim 15,wherein the exterior of the biocompatible housing is modeled to reducefluid sheer stress at an implant site.
 19. An apparatus, comprising: anon-thin film battery comprising a stack of at least one substantiallyplanar anode and at least one substantially planar cathode, wherein thestack defines a contoured exterior; and a battery housing enclosing thestack, the battery housing defining a battery housing exterior, whereinthe contoured exterior of the stack is shaped to conform to a contouredinterior of the battery housing that approximately conforms to thebattery housing exterior, wherein the battery housing is shaped toconform to at least some of an exterior of a biocompatible housingmodeled using endovascular fluid dynamics, and wherein the batteryhousing has a volume of less than approximately 0.024 cubic centimeters.20. An apparatus, comprising: a non-thin-film battery comprising a stackof at least one substantially planar anode and at least onesubstantially planar cathode, wherein the stack defines a contouredexterior; and a battery housing enclosing the stack, the battery housingdefining a battery housing exterior, wherein the contoured exterior ofthe stack is shaped to conform to a contoured interior of the batteryhousing that approximately conforms to the battery housing exterior,wherein the battery housing is shaped to conform to at least some of anexterior of a biocompatible housing modeled using endovascular fluiddynamics, and wherein the exterior of the biocompatible housing ismodeled to reduce fluid sheer stress at an implant site.